Dads Tell All

Fatherhood is full of learning experiences.

“I enjoy teaching my kids new things and learning life lessons from them,” said David Kim, father of Emmeline, 10, and Dillon, 7.

Ray De Leon, father of Katrina, 32, and Amy, 29, shares a special memory—

“There is no manual for fatherhood.  Sometimes it is just a shot in the dark with hopes for the best.  My oldest daughter and I were butting heads on some long forgotten issue.  In exasperation, I told her, 'Every day I live with you is full of experiences I have never had before.  I have to try to respond as best I can.'  Later that evening as I was preparing for bed, I heard, 'Papa?'  I turned and there was my oldest handing me an envelope.  It began, 'Each day that I live as a teenager is a new one that is confusing and challenging.  I am trying to do my best.'  I think that was the day we really started to communicate with each other.”

Fatherhood is fun.

John Kaulback, father of Taylor 7, Brook, 4, and Colton, 3, said, “There are so many great parks in this area that we have fun together going to all the different parks.” 

John also likes to go to the beach and the San Diego Zoo with his family, but wherever they go, John said he “just enjoys spending time with his kids.”

Gene Inouye, father of Jared, 12, and Lyndsey, 10, said, “During the summer, I enjoy the time we spend swimming, hiking and sightseeing in Arizona every year.  I also enjoy cheering my kids on while they are doing their favorite sport."

Jim Fukuda, father of Lauren, 17, Eric, 15, and Craig, 7, said, “I am thankful and blessed to be a father to three great kids.  I love the 'Daddy' scream as I open the door after a long, tiring day.  I appreciate the opportunity to make the favorite Saturday morning breakfast for three hungry mouths—pancakes, Mickey Mouse-style (the dog even gets a few pancakes along the way).  I cherish the way my kids are able to bring the kid out of me... I will keep these memories with me for all of my life.”

Fatherhood is full of memories.

Brian Cummings, father of Dyllan, 6, said, “This last year has been filled with many memorable moments.” 

Taking apart a laser printer with his son was one of his favorites. 

“We talked about how the different parts work with each other…When we were done, Michelle was able to take some of the parts and add them to her art and Dyllan has some cool computer parts for his wall.  All in all, a very cool project for our family and I am sure with many more to come.”

David Kopf, father of Madeleine, 9, Amelia 7, and Liliana 4, said, “Some of my best memories with my kids so far have been camping, riding bikes and being outdoors with them.  Today’s kids spend so much time in structured activities—too much time, in my opinion—so I love seeing them being able to get out, get active and use their imaginations.  And that’s easy when they are at their best.  They drop their squabbling and have good-natured, simple fun.  Those moments are proof that plans are overrated, and that parenting is the art of helping coax a child’s evolution, rather than trying to control it.”

Fatherhood brings extraordinary gifts.

Jeff Craig, father of Samantha, 18, and Chance, 15, said, “I have been lucky to be blessed with two wonderful children and we have enjoyed some terrific times on Father’s Day.  Some of my best memories were receiving the special gifts they would make or create at school for dad when they were in elementary school.  I always enjoyed receiving them and the kids always beamed when they would give them to me, seeing that all their hard work at school paid off.  I love Father’s Day!”

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Ray De Leon shares a gift that his younger daughter, Amy, 29, recently made for him.  Her list of “the top five reasons you want to hang with papa,” which includes special memories with her dad:

5.  Whenever you have to get a shot or go visit the doctor’s office, go with papa and you are guaranteed a visit to McDonald’s to get a Happy Meal, but don’t count on keeping the toy if it is a racecar or a superhero.

4.  When watching TV with papa, you can watch anything you want during the commercials of his programs.  He might even share his snacks.

3.  Going to the grocery store with papa was always beneficial.  He would let you buy the things mom would never allow.

2.  Going to Disneyland was always fun as long as you didn’t put papa on the teacup ride, because, well, he got sick.

1.  I always had fun going to the Dodgers or Angels baseball game with papa because one of the reasons for going was to get a delicious hot dog at either park.

“I consider this to be a good Father’s Day gift,” De Leon said.